Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Senior Reverse Engineer / Vulnerability Researcher to analyze complex software, firmware, and embedded systems to uncover critical vulnerabilities supporting national security and space missions. You will deconstruct binaries, perform malware analysis, develop proof-of-concept exploits, and design mitigations. Collaborate with multidisciplinary experts in a mission-driven, research-focused environment that values curiosity, ethics, and impact, with strong support for innovation, publications, and professional growth, including advanced degrees and technical leadership opportunities.
Responsibilities
- Reverse engineer complex binaries, firmware, and embedded systems to identify vulnerabilities and system behavior.
- Conduct vulnerability research, exploit development, and proof-of-concept demonstrations for mission-focused projects.
- Analyze malware and advanced threats, deriving capabilities, indicators, and defensive insights.
- Develop tools, scripts, and automation to support large-scale analysis and fuzzing efforts.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams of scientists and engineers on national security, space, and health missions.
- Document findings, produce technical reports, and present results to sponsors and internal stakeholders.
- Contribute to the design of mitigations, secure architectures, and defensive techniques informed by research.
- Mentor junior staff and contribute to APL's research community through publications and prototypes.
Required Skills
- Reverse engineering (IDA Pro, Ghidra, Binary Ninja)
- Vulnerability research and exploitation
- C/C++ programming
- Python scripting
- Assembly language (x86/x64/ARM)
- Operating system internals (Windows/Linux)
- Network protocols and security
- Malware analysis
- Fuzzing tools and techniques
- Secure coding and mitigation techniques